NBA News: Latest on Los Angeles Lakers Superstars and More Around the League

The first month of the NBA season has been absolutely thrilling, complete with surprise contenders and even more shocking disappointments.

One team that everyone can’t stop talking about is the Los Angeles Lakers, a club that many predicted would have the best record and challenge the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

Those projections aren’t exactly looking too great, as the team is currently below .500 and already replaced the head coach.

Let’s take a look at what is going on with the Lake Show and more teams around the league in today’s NBA news roundup.

Steve Nash Still Out

While some were hoping that the elite point guard would get back on the floor, Nash himself confirmed that he’s still not ready to go.

According to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News, the 38-year-old wasn’t quite sure exactly when he’ll return, but still seems a while off.

"Another 10 days to two weeks?" Nash wondered aloud. "That's a total guess. Since I can't run, I'm not going to play this week."

The Lakers need to get Nash back in the lineup in order to evaluate this next player and see if he’s a fit or not in coach Mike D’Antoni’s system.

Pau Gasol Not on the Block…Yet.

D’Antoni once again pulled Gasol for the last few minutes of a fourth-quarter collapse against the Orlando Magic, and it’s further fueled the trade rumor fire.

However, the Lakers aren’t eager to dump a player with his skills for pennies on the dollar, especially not without seeing the Spaniard play with a Hall of Fame PG running his favorite offense.

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, sources are indicating that GM Mitch Kupchak will not start looking to deal the starting PF until after Nash returns. If Gasol makes a drastic improvement with the Canadian point guard in the lineup, things aren’t likely to change in L.A.

Should Gasol forget to put on his “big boy pants,” as Kobe Bryanthas told him to do, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the 32-year-old shipped off by the deadline.

Amar’e Stoudemire to Return Soon?

Many Knicks fans are hoping that STAT can get back on the court sooner than later, giving the team time to work out a balance between Carmelo Anthony and the superstar PF.

In the past, the two haven’t been the greatest tandem—which is concerning considering the Knickerbockers' success while Stoudemire has been sidelined.

According to Al Iannazzone of New York Newsday, New York’s oft-injured big man isn’t sure if he’s still on pace to return six-to-eight weeks after his Oct. 31 surgery.

"We'll see," Stoudemire said before laughing. "I'm focused.”

STAT has been working out recently, but hasn’t started fully practicing and getting anywhere near game shape.

We’ll keep you updated when we learn more about a potential return for the Knicks superstar.